Cruise Asia

Through this exceptional all-new itinerary between Singapore and Yangon, PONANT invites you to discover the thousand faces of Asia and get as close as possible to its history, traditions and many vestiges.

In Singapore, you will board LeLapérouse for a 10-day cruise that will take you to 4 countries!

Firstly, you will sail the Malacca Strait, the former strategic crossroads on the silk and spice roads, to discover the beautiful cities of Penang and Malacca, UNESCO World Heritage Sites with fascinating Asian, Portuguese and Dutch heritage.

In a sublime setting of emerald water, karstic cliffs, mangrove and white sand, Le Lapérouse will then drop anchor in Thailand. You will discover the sumptuous landscapes of the uninhabited island of Ko Rok Nok, close to Koh Lanta archipelago, a paradise for swimming and relaxation, before reaching the wonderful karstic islets of Phang Nga Bay.

Lastly, LeLapérouse will sail to Myanmar. You will visit Yangon (Rangoon), the nation’s former capital, home to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, the country’s most revered religious shrine.

LE LAPEROUSE

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Lapérouse will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

Port of call & excursions

Singapore

Nicknamed the Garden City, Singapore stretches across Malaysia's southern-most region. Experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of this city-state for yourself at the Marina Bay. No too far away is the historic centre, offering up a unique smorgasbord of neoclassical buildings and contemporary towers. Decked out in topiary, the pavements of Orchard Road are also home to countless shopping centres. The colourful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker centre, one of the city's traditional snack bars. Between the two districts, get a slice of history with a trip to the Raffles dock. It was here that Englishman Sir Raffles, the founder of the city, is said to have arrived one fateful day in January 1819.

29 November 2020 – Malacca

Arrival 29/11/2020 midday. Departure 29/11/2020 early evening.

Lying along the shores of the eponymous Strait, Malacca City has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A witness of the maritime traffic between Asia and the West, the city is inextricably linked to the trade of spices and silk. This cultural oasis will show you the history of a fascinating ancient civilization, the Baba Nyonya, the descendants of Chinese immigrants who married Malay women. In a Peranakan house in Chinatown, you will discover the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, which reproduces the interior of a traditional elegant home from the 19th century. The Baba Nyonya were wealthy traders who liked to indulge their taste for sumptuous furniture made from teak and mother-of-pearl, rare jewels and silk brocade.

30 November 2020 – Port Klang

Arrival 30/11/2020 early morning. Departure 30/11/2020 early evening.

The country’s busiest commercial port, Port Klang was a royal capital before being colonised by the British in 1870. Near the Royal Palace, you’ll be able to admire the blend of Art deco and oriental style of the Sultan Suleiman Mosque. Completed in 1933, its conception resulted from a collaborative effort with the British and its concrete structure is particularly original for the time. Located around 30 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, Port Klang is the ideal gateway for visiting the vibrant capital of Malaysia.

1 December 2020 – Penang (Georgetown)

Arrival 01/12/2020 midday. Departure 01/12/2020 late afternoon.

The leading British trading post of the Far East in the 19th century, this tiny island has a unique atmosphere of both East and West. Known as the “Pearl of the East” in the past, for its many trades of spice, fabrics, and tin, Penang has become one of the most sought-after destinations in Malaysia. George Town, its capital, is home to an extremely rich historical heritage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to discover the Blue Mansion, a real architectural marvel that blends traditional Chinese style with eastern elements.

2 December 2020 – Ko Rok Nok Island

3 December 2020 – Phang Nga

Arrival 03/12/2020 early morning. Departure 03/12/2020 mid afternoon.

4 December 2020 – At sea

Arrival 04/12/2020. Departure 04/12/2020.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

5 December 2020▸6 December 2020 – Yangon

Arrival 05/12/2020 late afternoon. Departure 06/12/2020.

Better known under its colonial name, Rangoon, the former capital of Myanmar was long nicknamed “the garden city of the East” and it remains the country’s administrative and economic capital. The city is lush and refreshing thanks to its luxuriant vegetation and its royal lakes. Having retained a colonial ambiance that contributes to its nostalgic charm, Yangon exudes a very special atmosphere. During your visit, do not miss the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred in Burma. Its dome is covered in gold and encrusted with over 2,500 precious stones. Nestling in the heart of a vast religious complex, it is surrounded by 72 other buildings. The purely Burmese architecture includes golden Buddhas and legendary Nats.

Yangon

Disembarkation 07/12/2020 at 07H00 .

Better known under its colonial name, Rangoon, the former capital of Myanmar was long nicknamed “the garden city of the East” and it remains the country’s administrative and economic capital. The city is lush and refreshing thanks to its luxuriant vegetation and its royal lakes. Having retained a colonial ambiance that contributes to its nostalgic charm, Yangon exudes a very special atmosphere. During your visit, do not miss the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred in Burma. Its dome is covered in gold and encrusted with over 2,500 precious stones. Nestling in the heart of a vast religious complex, it is surrounded by 72 other buildings. The purely Burmese architecture includes golden Buddhas and legendary Nats.

Formalities

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.

Guest(s) Lecturer(s)

Franck Ferrand

An historian by training (EHESS), author of a dozen books on history – including Versailles après les rois (Perrin), L’Histoire interdite (Tallandier), François Ier, roi de chimères (Flammarion) and Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles (Plon), and the successful saga La Cour des Dames – Franck Ferrand has emerged over the years as one of our leading “history messengers”.

For 15 years, he has hosted historic rendezvous on Europe 1, including the famous daily slot Au cœur de l’histoire. Since September 2018, we can find him on Radio Classique in Franck Ferrand raconte which in the first week became the most downloaded programme in France. After presenting some 50 editions of L’Ombre d’un doute on France 3, he now appears every week alongside Michel Drucker in Vivement dimanche. In the last 20 years, Franck Ferrand has given literally hundreds of talks on every continent.